Historically, the most common purpose advocated suggests the author is attempting to dissuade his Jewish Christian readers from a relapse into Judaism brought on by increasing persecution and a desire for the stability of the old faith.270 This basic view, with various modifications, was argued by Spicq, F. F. Bruce, Ellingworth, Dunnill, Lehne, and many others.271 A theory that has also garnered support is W. Manson’s thesis that has been adopted with certain qualifications by Lane, Lindars, and